Gavin lang stairs



(No Model.) G. L. STAIRS.

PUZZLE.

N0. 441,988. Patented D60. 2, 1890.

i A c. 7 Z

if 3. j .9

M lllllll mm a IIVVEIVTOR:

ATTORNEYS t UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

GAVIN LANG STATES, OF MAITLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,988, dated December 2, 1890.

Application filed August 25, 1890. Serial No. 362,980. (No model.)

To to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GAVIN LANG STAIRS, of Maitland, in the county of Hants, Province of Nova Scotia, and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and Improved Puzzle, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to games or puzzles designed to be held in the hand or hands, and in which,by tilting and skillfully manipulating a channeled box or case, balls or other spherical bodies placed therein are made to roll or change their positions till a given goal, in spite of obstacles, is reached,thus, besides affording amusement, conducing to a healthy and steadying exercise of the nerves of the hands.

The invention consists in a game or puzzle of this description of novel construction as regards its operating box or case, for use in connection with two pairs of balls supposed to represent two opposing parties, the one anxious to retain and the other to obtain a favored position, substantially as hereinafter described.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a View in perspective of my improved game or puzzle with the lid of the case removed and as ready for being worked or played; Fig. 2, a plan of the same, and Fig. 3 a side View of the box or case closed.

A indicates the box or case of the puzzle, and B its lid, which latter is removed when the game or puzzle is being played. This box or case consists of two narrow opposite channel-ways b b and an enlarged central or intermediate chamber 0, preferably of circular form internally, into which the two channelways open at their inner ends.

0 O and D D represent two pairs of balls or marbles of a size to fit freely in the channelways I) b, but not so that they can pass each other in said channel-ways or so that they will be forced to traverse in single file therein. The one channel-way-say the chan11el-way Z)represents the favored position or goal to be reached, and atstarting the game is occupied by the one pair of balls 0 0, while the other channel-way Z) is occupied by the other pair of balls D D, which should be of different color to the other pair of balls, or the two pairs of balls should be differently marked to distinguish them. The object of the game is to reverse the position of these two pairs of balls in the channel-ways without touching them. by simply manipulating or tilting the box in different directions from the horizontal position in which it is first posed by the hand or hands, and so that the balls C G will be passed out of the channel-way Z2, which, as before observed, represents the goal or favored position, and the balls D D be caused to roll into said channel-way, or change positions, as it were. with the balls 0 C. To accomplish this, the area of the central chamber 0 is made sufficient to enable the rolling balls to pass one another; but to do this and make both balls D D occupy the position formerlyoccu pied by the balls 0 O in the channel-way 22 requires a very skillful manipulation of the box in Va rious directions.

The game is intended to be typical of a presidential election, the channel-way indicating the place of power now occupied by one political party. The balls 0 0 represent the candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of the political party now in office, and are placed in the channel-way b. The other pair of balls D D represent the candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of the opposing party. These, at starting the game, occupy the other channel-way b, and it is designed to so shake or manipulate the box that they will take the place of the balls 0 C in the channel-way or favored place of position b as the several balls, in being rolled about, due to the manipulation of the box, are caused to pass each other in the central chamber 0, which represents the polls or place of contest. The manipulation of the box to accomplish this requires almost as much dexterity and skill as ever has been practiced in a genuine presidential election by an astute politician, without the trickery of the latter.

It is proposed to make the balls 0 G and D D, representing the twoopposing parties, of the same colors, respoctivel y, as the special colors adopted by said parties during an election; but they may be otherwise distinguished, it desircdt ICO ,into the intermediate chamber on opposite sides thereof, substantially as specified.

2. In a game or pnzzle, the box or case having a central or intermediate chamber and two opposite channel-ways of less area than said chamber and in open communication with it at their inner ends, and two pairs of balls, distinguishable the one pair from the other, adapted to traverse separately orin single file said channel-ways, but capable of collecting or mixing and passing one another in the intermediate chamber of the box, essentially as herein set forth.

GAVIN LANG STAIRS. Witnesses:

MADGE D. SUTHERLAND, MARGARET SUTHERLAND. 

